How many times have you added a curriculum to your virtual shopping cart ? only to second-guess your decision? I get it!  Taking the leap into homeschooling your little one wasn't an easy decision, nor is selecting the "perfect" curriculum. Spoiler: There is no one, "PERFECT," one-size-fits all curriculum. But you CAN take this handy checklist of criteria to ensure you're making the best possible decision for YOU and YOUR child. Read on for my top eight criteria for choosing the "right" curriculum for your early learner. Play-focused approach  All the research points to the ..read more

Are you inspired by the home learning spaces you see on Pinterest, Instagram and homeschool blogs? Have you ever wanted to re-vamp your learning space but... a) you don’t have the space, b) you don’t have the budget or c) you fear your kids will just destroy it anyway? You’re in the right place! Today’s blog post features a bank of ideas to create a Reggio-Inspired learning space in YOUR HOME - big or small, that fits YOUR budget Big or small, that suits your family and your lifestyle. Today, our goal is to re-imagine our learning space to inspire playful curiosity, creative exploration a ..read more

An investigation unfolds One day, we were learning together at the table, a rainbow streamed through the window and projected itself onto the wall of our home learning space. This sparked much excitement for the girls. They had all kinds of theories about how the rainbow appeared (I knew it was because of the glass vase that sat in front of the window, but I didn't disclose that just yet!) I decided to take advantage of their excitement and interest in this unintended provocation, and thought would be the perfect way to launch into an investigation about rainbows! Prior Knowledge I asked them ..read more

Imagine you're teaching your child about plants.  Now imagine the learning going one of two ways. Worksheet style. Paper, pencil, scissors, glue. The lesson spans 20 minutes, and your child is done thinking about plants. They move onto the next thing rarely thinking or wondering about plants again. Hands-on, Artful Approach. ✅ soil ✅ trowel ✅ real flowers ✅ magnifying glass ✅ seeds ✅ watercolor paint ✅ paintbrush The investigation and projects span days, even weeks. Your child is noticing, observing, predicting, labeling, creating, investigating, discussi ..read more

Over ten years ago, I discovered an approach to teaching and learning that would forever transform how I view children, teaching and learning. As an advocate for the Arts and play-based learning and a lover of inspiring design, the Reggio-Emilia approach to early learning resonated with every fibre of my being. But what does it mean to be Reggio-inspired, and where did the term come from? And more importantly, how can we - as North American educators and homeschoolers - take inspiration from such an approach, but also remain accountable for the learning outcomes we are expected to teach our c ..read more

As the holidays approach, moms find themselves in the throes of busy-ness: shopping for gifts, gift wrapping, holiday meal planning, baking, orchestrating gatherings,  coordinating events…it’s exhausting even typing these to-do’s!  Nevermind the stamina required for teaching kids at home! Exhaustion can be defined one of two ways: a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue. the action or state of using something up or of being used up completely. Do either of these definitions resonate with you? The phrase, You can’t pour from an empty cup is an adage we acknowledge, but often i ..read more

Growing Gratitude Trees: A Reggio-Inspired Thanksgiving Tradition As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in the US, and as the holiday season approaches, young families begin to create meaningful traditions with families. Some inherited from previous generations, and some newly forged traditions.  As you begin to imagine setting up your Thanksgiving table, imagine a centerpiece that is not only beautiful, but meaningfully child-made, inviting our children to reflect on what it means to be truly thankful. In keeping with a Reggio-inspired approach and the hundred languages of children, t ..read more

    Gratitude is an abstract concept, particularly with young children. So how can we make the concept concrete so that our children practice an attitude of gratitude? These Reggio-inspired, hands-on invitations to create for kindergarteners and early learners are a beautiful way to teach and practice gratitude this Thanksgiving, and throughout the year.     Why TEACH gratitude? Gratitude feels good! When we feel good, we do good! Having a positive outlook is good for our spirit, body and mind.  Gratitude helps create a positive chain reaction, min ..read more

If you’re taking the leap into homeschooling your little one this fall, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with all the moving parts.  Supplies. Schedules. Curriculum. Socialization. Homeschool laws.  In particular, you’re probably wondering about how to plan your days and months for learning - how much, how little - and what a typical day will look like. Breathe, mama. You got this. Today’s post is about giving you a checklist and roadmap to make planning a breeze, to lighten your load, and to reassure you that homeschooling in the Early Years can be light, playful and fun {f ..read more

How can you teach your child to read, write and do math in under <1 hour per day? The secret inside Artful Teaching. Joyful Learning.® is an integrated approach - one that folds in literacy and numeracy into everything you do. The program is rooted in a Reggio-inspired approach, and its holistic style is what makes teaching and learning so seamless, streamlined and beautiful. This blog post and video show a typical "flow" to an ATJL homeschool day, and includes predictable, repeatable rhythms and routines to teach reading, writing and math in a way that's playful, engaging a ..read more